What is the best sealant for 239Ci FH head bolts. Also, should I use washers with the head bolts.

 

I used Permatex Aviation Form-a-Gasket on my flattie's head bolts 2 years ago and no problems so far. I don't think washers are necessary, but don't hurt either. I put on finned Offy heads and put stainless washers on the bolts plus acorn covers, which look sharp. The washers help keep the bolt from digging into the aluminum head but if you have stock iron heads that's not a factor.

 

I looked around alot of sights and checked, permatex was one the other was liquid teflon. I used the teflon, just from previous sucess with it. Oh may I add, I would run a tap throught all the holes (unless you already did) in case you have a weak one. I takes a little time, but with the issues these engines have, clean threads and new goop wont hurt.
And that's all I got to say about that

 

cant remeber what i used , but it was suggested by a freind on another site . done what jorgholio suggested , but it didnt last long . i'm getting a little "pressure" in the cooling system , and i know the block is fine and it runs only slightly warmer than before . so me thinks i'll be paying attention , taking notes here and buying new head bolts as this is on my laundry list of things to do while the gas tank is out being fixed on bessie .

 

Another thought I had was if you use a sealant, are the torque specs different. I know there are different specs for dry and wet torque setting so if you gob up the threads with sealant do the factory specs take that into consideration?

 

Washers aren't needed or particularly desirable for 8BA's. It would change the torque spec if you used them. They would have to be hardened and ground SAE washers. Using any kind of dope on the threads will change the torque settings, to who knows what? I have zero leakage (at the head surface or at bolts) using a FelPro blue head gasket set, no sealants, no washers. 59-series engines with aluminum heads are much worse for leaking at studs.

 

Hey, Ross, where did you get those Blue felpro (permatorque) head gaskets. I bought a felpro gasket for my 51' engine and the gaskets are black. These are great gaskets, I have used them before on other engines.

 

I don't know that mine are PermaTorque; they are FelPro and they are blue, but they didn't say PermaTorque. Since the time I bought them, I understand FelPro now uses Deitz (?) head gaskets in their sets, or maybe it's vice versa. There isn't enough demand for more than one company to make head gaskets for these. But on an 8BA with cast iron heads, there are few problems compared to the 59's. Clean your bolt threads and chase the holes, re-torque 2 or 3 times after maybe 1st hour and 10 hours. Stick to Henry's specs!

 

I think you are right, felpro switched to deitz gaskets. I think I will use the aviation permatex stuff too just for insurance. I never like using silicone in these applications because the stuff breaks off, especially if the bolt is removed and installed again, and then can plug things up. I remember in the 80's the auto factories started using silicone to replace material gaskets. That was fine and dandy when a robot did it but what happens when a shade tree mechanic blobs too much silicone on a transmission pan for example and then it eventually breaks off. Hopefully the filter catches it.

 

You could always use Loctite 272, it's good for hightemp applications.